Don’t go through it alone: A beginner’s guide to a pre-build condo walkthrough

Amidst all the excitement of purchasing a pre-construction new condo/townhouse and the anticipation of waiting for it to be built, an often-overlooked, but extremely important item to remember once it is completed is the walkthrough before officially taking possession of the property.

Often times the buyer is so excited to FINALLY be moving into their long-awaited new home, they view the initial walkthrough as a formality rather than an important opportunity to make sure everything is up to standards.

Our advice to you: Don’t go through it alone!

You need to learn how to properly maintain your new home in order to prevent wear and tear issues and potentially void your warranty.

In many cases, the new owners are first-time buyers and may not be totally comfortable with what to actually look for, so there is no better option than to bring a professional home inspector along for the ride. We know exactly what to look for and what questions to ask when doing this initial walkthrough so you can rest easy knowing all the bases are covered during this important process.

Important things to look for during such a walkthrough include:

  • How the different systems work
  • How to change an HVAC filter
  • Defects and deficiencies you may easily otherwise overlook
  • How to arrange furniture so they won’t block off air supply or cold-air return
  • How hinges on the cupboard doors work
  • When to change smoke and CO2 detectors
  • What works and what doesn’t/parts unfinished
  • Marks on the wall or paint touch-ups

Another important thing to know when purchasing a new home is how the warranty coverage works. For more information on new-home warranties, click here.

If you are preparing for a walkthrough of a pre-build condo/townhouse, or any new home for that matter, please contact Glenn at Duxbury & Associates. We will be able to come along with you for the walkthrough to make sure your mind it at ease. Even if the
developer won’t allow you to bring your inspector, we have found ways around that, by
not advertising that fact and simply saying we are attending as a friend.